Firearm



FIREARM Filed April 12, 1935 l 2 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented June I, 1937 UNITED smi-ss vATENT OFFICE 7 claims.

This invention relates torearms, particularly to those of that character'for use in firing gas producing shells and has for its principal ob- Y jects to provide a firearm of this type that is automatic in operation and capable of successively firing a plurality of shells with one loading.

Other important objects'of theinvcntion are to provide a well balanced, simple and compact construction that is convenient to carry and conceal, to provide for fast, positive iiring action with a minimum recoil, to facilitate reloading after the shells have been red, and to generallyV increase the eiectiveness of this type of firearm.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a firearm with a trigger extending the full length of the hand grip to obviate the hazard of having it jerkedor twisted from the hand when dealing with a mob.

In accomplishing these and other objects ofthe invention, as hereinafter pointedout, I have provided improved details of structure, the' preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective View of a firearm for discharging gas producing shells and embodying the features of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar perspective View with the cover section of the frame removed to better illustrate the actuating mechanism for effecting firing of the shells and for successively moving the shells into iiring position.

Fig. 3 shows the shell cylinder removed from the frame for discharging the'empty shellspirior 35 to reloading. i

Fig. 4 is a similar View showing the cylinder reloaded and ready to b'ereplaced on the frame.

Fig. 5 is a section through the shellcylinder on theline 55, Fig. 9, particularly illustrating 40 the cylinder catch and release mechanism, the catch being shown in `released position, and the cylinder partly withdrawn from itsl spindle.

Fig. 6 isa longitudinal central section through the firearm, a part of the ratchet lever being broken away tol better illustrate the sear actu-V ating lever. Fig. 7 is a similar View showing the hammer being moved to cocked position and the shell cylinder being rotated to bring a shell in line with the firing pin.

Fig. 8 is a similar View after the hammer has been cocked and is being released by the sear.

Fig. .9 is a cross section through the cylinder on the line 9 9, Fig. 6. 5.5., Fig. 10 is a View of the breech 4 end of the cylinder particularly illustrating the ratchet grooves and the notches for latching the cylinder `in ring position.

Fig.` -1'1 is a fragmentary section through the frarrref-'on theline II-I I, Fig. 6.

Fig. 12 is a horizontal section on the line I2--I2, Fig. 7.

VFig.f13-is a'detail perspective view of the ratchet lever. i

Referring more in detail to the drawings:V

I designates al ilrearm including a frame 2 comprising mounting, and cover sections 3 and that are preferably formed of thin metal shaped to provide hollow handle grip and head portions 5 and 6 to house the actuating mechanisms, YtheV sections being secured together by screws i extending through the handle portions 5 and by screws 8 that extend through a circular `base plate 9 of themounting section and into threaded sockets I0 that are provided in the forward edge of the cover section. The sections 3` and 4 are of substantially identical shape except for the base plate 9 which forms an abutment forthe cylinder II later described. The cylinder is rotatably mounted on a spindle I2 comprising a rod having a cylindrical bearing portion I3 provided with a reduced threaded shank I4 on the end thereof that is threaded into an internally threaded socket I5 provided in the axis of the circular base 9, the shoulder formed by the reduced shank I4 engaging against the outer face of the circular base to Wedge the threads of the shank in the socket and thereby preventing unthreading thereof.

The shell cylinder includes a body portion I'I having a circular base flange I8 conforming in diameter tothe circular base 9 of the frame and which rotates on the spindle in face to face engagement therewith as illustrated in Figs. 1

and 2.

Formed in the body portion I'I of the cylinder circumferentially of'an axial bore I9 that accommodates the spindle is a circular series of shellfchambers of suitable diameter to receive gas shells 2| of standard gauge. The breech ends of the chambers are counter-bored as at 22 to accommodate the rims 23 of the shells to retain the shells againstaxial movement in the cylinder when the cylinder is inA contact with the base plate. In order to lighten the body portion of the cylinder, the outer periphery thereof conforms in shape to the shell chambersA as best illustrated` in Fig. 9.

The bore I9 extends entirely through the cylin-` der and is counter-bored between the ends 55.

thereoi as at 2t to provide bearing portions 25 and 26 conforming in diameter to the spindle. The inner end of the counter-bore adjacent the bearing portion 26 forms an annular shoulder 2l adapted to be engaged by a catch 28 to rotatably retain the cylinder on the spindle.

The catch 2S is pivotally mounted in a radial recess 36 formed in the side of the spindle as best illustrated in Fig. (i, the catch being pivotally mounted on a pin 3l extendingv diametrically through the spindle and through an' ear 32 on the catch. The rear end of the catch includes a latch portion 33 adapted to engage against the shoulder 2l and a tail portion 34 that engages against the inner periphery of the bearing portion 26 to normally retain a hook 35 on the forward end of the latch in engagement with a catch release 36. .1., y v

The catch release 36 includes a shank portion 3l reciprocably mounted in an axial bore extending inwardiy from theouteiiend o the spindle and has a V-shapednotch vr38 in its inner end to form an inclined portion 39v and a shoulder l to respectively engage complementary cam and shoulder `p orti`o ns 4l and 42 on ythe hook shaped end of the latch. t

Provided on the outer end of therod 3l is a cylindrical button 43 that is normally` spaced from the end of the spindle as at 44 and normally projects from the bore of thecylinder so that the head may be moved into the open end ci the bore Vto cause the cam shaped Yface S9 on the rod to cam the hooi: shaped end of the catch outwardly and effect release of the shouldei` 33Y from engagement with the annular shoulder 21 against action of a spring 45 that yieldingly retains the tail portion 34 and shoulder 33 in engagement with the cylinder.

It is apparent that when the cylinder is sleeved, over the spindle, the bearing portion 26 will engage the latch to cause the latch to ,move into the recess 36 compressing the spring 45; but as soon as the shoulder passesoi the shoulder bearing portion 26, fthe spring will move the catch into engaging position with the annular shoulder Elv to prevent retraction of the cylinder. The cylinder, however, is freely rotatable on the spindle due to the vcounter-bore 24 which accommodates the projecting portions of the catch and the annular shoulder forms a step for the catch in Vany position of the cylinder.

It is also apparent that the hook shaped end or" the latch being in hooked engagement with the catch release retains the release in functional position within the bore of the spindle. v

When the cylinder is to be removed, the button 6? of the latch is pressed into the bearing portion 25 to causeithe rodto cam thelatch into released positionas above described, whereupon the cylinder may be vreadily withdrawn from the spindle. Y n v Y Located in the head of the mounting section of the frame and in axial alignment Vwith the circular path of travel of the shell chamber axis is a hammer housing i6 thatlis preferably formed integrally therewith andwhas an inner cylindrical fbore il opening from the forward end thereof but terminating short( of its opposite end to provide a spring seat '48.' Reciprocable in the hammer housing is a hammer 49 including a cylindricalvbody having an annular V-shaped groove 5l thereon to form a searrengaging shoulder 52 that is adaptedto be engaged by a sear 53 which engages and moves the hammer to cocked position as later described.

end engaging against the seat 48 v previously mentioned.

The spring 59 normally retains the hammer in projected position and means must be provided for yieldingly opposing it so as Vto. prevent the ring pin from dragging against the shells at the time the cylinder is rotated. This is accomplished by means of a coil spring 66 sleeved v over the firing pin and having one end anc-,heroi in the bottom of the circular groove that is formed lin the body portion of the hammer about the periphery of the firing pin as best illustrated in Fig. 6. l

When the hammer spring 59 is relaxed, the spring 66 preponderates thereover to yieldingly retain the firing pin from engagement with the shell; however, during release of the hammer, momentum imparted to the hammer by thev hammer spring 59 eiects compression of the spring 6G so that the firing pin is driven into ring engagement with the shell. After the energy of the spring 59 is expended, the spring GUcomes into play to move the firing pin away from the shell to permit rotation of the cylinder.

In order to stop the cylinder soy that one of the shell chambers 26 is always aligned with the firing pin, I provide a cylinder stop 6| that is pivotally mounted on a pin 62 extending across a notch 63 that is formed in the periphery the circular base at a point diametrically cpposed tothe position of the firing pin as best illustrated in Figs. 6 to 8, inclusive.

The stop 6l includes a lever having one enfl 64 operable in the slot 63 and provided with a detent 65 for engaging one of a plurality of radial notches 66 formed in the face of the base flange I8 as best illustrated in Fig. l0, there being one notch for each shell chamber. The detent portion of the stop lever is normal urged to notch engaging position under action of a spring 6l that is mounted in a recess in the circular base and which engages the opposite end of a stop lever.

Thus, when the detent portion cf the step lever is engaged with one of the notches 66, the cylinder is held from rotation in either direction so that the chamber opposite the notch is retained in firing position relatively to the firing pm.

Extending from'the lower end of the handle grip ,portion of the base section is an ear 69 carrying ay pin l@ that cooperates Vwith a eimilar pin ll extending across the frame sections. at a point Vadjacent the stop lever 6l to mount atrigger including a bar l2 and a pivotally connected triggerY lever i3 that is connected therewith by a pin 'it extending through the upper end of the bar and through the depending arm l5 of the trigger lever, the trigger lever being pivoted onV the pin 'H and the slotted lower end of the bar on the pin It is thus apparent that the trigger bar tends substantially the full length of the han grip so that it may be engagedrby all ci th.. ngers of the hand when the gun is held ring position.

2,2`,288 Upon contracting the fingers about the grip,

the trigger bar will be caused to pivoty'onV the pin 19 and the trigger lever on the 'pin' 'H to successively Yeffect actuation." of the cylinder stop lever 5|, a sear supporting lever 'lGwand a ratchet lever TI to successively eflect release of the cylinder, initial cooking movement of the hammer andintermittent rotation ofthe cyl-A inder to bring a shell into firing position with the ring pin as now to be described.

Pivotally mounted onta screwA 1 that 4extends through the head of the frame andlocated between bosses 18 projecting inwardly from the sides of the frame sections is the sear supporting lever 16 which is in the form of a bellY crank lever including a forwardly extending arm 'i9 having a rounded end thereon adapted to engage a rounded cam face 8| on the spring pressed end of the stop lever. The other arm 82 of the sear lever extends upwardly in the direction of the hammer `and has a yoke shaped-head 83 in which is pivotally-mounted'the end of the gsear 53, the sear being pivotally mounted in the yoke on a pin 84 as best illustrated in Fig. 2. 'The opposite end of the sear extends across the yoke and has a hook shaped 'end 85 extending through an elongated slot 86v in the Vhammer housing to engage theshoulder 52, the sear being urged to shoulder engaging position by means of a plunger 81 that is slidable inE a bore 88 formed in the yoke shaped head under response of a coil spring 89 seated in the bore and having an end engaging against the inner end of the plunger to cause the plunger to move the sear in a clock-wise `direction as shown in Figs. 6 to 8, inclusive.`

Extending laterally from the trigger lever isl an arm 99 having its free end connected by linksr 9| and 92 with the forwardly extending arm 19' of the sear supporting lever, the lower end of the linksv beingpivotally connected to the ends of a pin 93 carried by the end of the arm 99 and the upper .end of the links being `connected by a pin 94 that isV carried in an ear 95 formed as a part of lthe lever arm 19. Y

In order to restore the trigger mechanism to normal position after each trip of the trigger, the pin 93 carries a depending link 96 to which is connected one end of aV coil spring 91 having its opposite end 98 anchored to a pin 99 that is carried by the mounting section of the frame as best illustrated in Fig. 2. l

With the constructionflthus far described,A actuation of the trigger lever will `cause the sear lever to rock in a clock-wise direction, Fig. 6,k so that the rounded end 80 thereof engages the cammed end of the cylinder stop lever to veffect release of the detent 65 from engagement with one of the notches 66. Simultaneously, the other arm of the sear supporting lever swings retractively to retract the hammer 49 compressing the spring 59. L

Simultaneously `with. movement of the hammer, and after the'catch hasbeen released, the ratchet lever 'l1 is 4operated to effect rotation of the shell cylinder to bring a loaded shell into alignment with the vfiring pin as now to be described.

The ratchet lever is best illustrated in Fig. 13 and is shown as including a plate vhaving a bearing hub I9I `that is pivotally'mounted on a pin |02 carried lby the mountingv section of the frame at a point `below the hammer housing. The opposite end of the plate |00 projects forwardly and downwardly alongside the cylinder stop lever and extends throughan elongated slot |93 extending parallel with and offset laterally from the notch 63 which forms a guideto retain the lever for movement in a fixed arcuate path vto carry a click |99 into propelling engagement with the ratchet grooves of a cylinder. The click |94 is pivotally mountedon a pin |95 that is carried by the end of the plate |09 and has a tooth |09 that is urged intol engagement with the innerv face of the cylinder flange by a spring |97 having one end |98 engaging the click and its opposite end formed in a-coil and fixed to the end of the ratchet lever as indicated at |09. x Uponinitial movement of the ratchet lever, the click engages in one ofV the radial notches ||0 to rotate the cylinder sufficiently to carry one of the shell chambers into ring'position.

In order to provide lag between the movement of the ratchet lever and the pin 99- to allow time Yfor releasing the cylinder stop,the pin extends through an enlarged notch Ythat -is formed in lthe arm |90 between the body portion thereof and an extending inger H2, as best shown in Fig. 13 so that when the trigger lever is moving ther sear lever to effect release ofthe cylinder stop, the pin 94 isV moving 'through the notch Y By the time the rounded end of the'sear lever has ridden oii the cam shaped'end of the stoplever, the pin 9E engages under the body portion of the ratchet lever to raise the lever and effect rotation of the cylinder. Y

As soon as the stop lever has been lifted outV of the notch 69, the detent 65 will drag overthe face of the base flange until theA succeeding notch 5Bl is brought into alignment therewith. The spring 91, acting against `the stop lever, wili then cause the detentto drop into the notch to hold the cylinder in advanced position.

Due to the fact that thehammer has not com-z pleted its cooking stroke at the time the cylinder has come to rest, the upper'movement cf the ratchet lever is continued through continued movement of the sear lever. Y Therefore, the' base flange lof the cylinder is provided with grooves ||3 connected with the ends of the ratchet notches llrand extending in parallel relation with the radial diameter of the shell chambers. The length of the ratchet notches being such that as soon as the detent is engaged to stop rotation of the cylinder, the tooth |99 of the click will have ridden out of the notch and into the groove ||3 where it is free to move to allow l:final movement of the hammer.

When the hammer has' reached the end of itsstroke, or cocked position, thesear 53 is automatically `released from engagement therewith due tothe fact that the upper edge 53" thereof is brought into camming engagement with the end Il@ of the slot 'Il whichcauses the sear to be cammed downwardly and outwardly away from the annular shoulder 52 of the hammer as illustrated in Fig. 8. j 1

n The stored up tension of the spring 59Y then comes into play to drive the hammer in the opposite direction to cause the firing pin toexplode vthe shell.` `g

As above pointed out, the stored `up tension of the spring and momentum of Vthe hammer causes initial compression of the spring 99, but as soon as the shell has been red and the force of the spring 59 expended, the spring 99 cornes into play to space the end of the iiring pin from the discharged shell. Upon release of thetrig- Lio ger bar, the spring 91 restores the parts to normal position.

The firing action can then be repeated by again gripping the trigger bar to effect release of and rotation of the cylinder to bring the succeeding shell into firing position. Simultaneously, the hammer will be cocked and released to i'lre the shell in the same mannerV as above pointed out. The firing can continue until all the shells have been red simply by releasing and again gripping the trigger after each firing operation. Y

In loading a rearm constructed and assembled as described, the catch release button 43 is pressed into the bearing opening 25 to cause release of the cylinder catch 28. The cylinder is then free to be Withdrawn from the spindle `as shown in Fig; 5.

The shells 20 may then be inserted through the breech ends of the chambers so that the rims thereofV are seated in the counter-bores 22.

The cylinder is then reapplied to the spindle and as soon as the shoulder portion of the cylinder catch lever overrides the annular shoulder 2, the catch will be automatically `moved to latched position by the spring l5A which also returns the release button 3 to its normal position.

When the gun is to be used, it is held in the hand in such a manner that the fingers extend about the trigger bar and the cylinder is pointed in the direction at which the gas is to be discharged. Then, by contracting the ngers about the grip on the rearm, the trigger lever will be actuated to first effect release of the cylinder stop, and initial retractive movement of the hammer. Then the ratchet lever will come into play to cause rotation oi the cylinder to move the shell, which is then in ring position, away from the firing pin and the succeeding )shell into ring position,

As soon as one of the notches 56 has been moved into alignment, with the stop lever, the spring of the stop lever will move itinto engagement therewith to stop rotation of the cylinder. Continued pressure applied to the trigger bar will complete movement to cause nal cocking movement of the hammer and automatic release thereof to re the shell. The firearm can be immediately rered upon allowing the spring to return the trigger bar and then regripping the trigger bar to repeat the operations above described.

The device may be successively fired in like manner until all of the shells have been discharged. Then, the cylinder may be readily removed by pressing on the button 43 and withdrawing the cylinder from the spindle with oner hand while the frame ofthe gun is held in the other hand as shown in Fig. 3.

Upon inverting the cylinder, the -discharged shells will fall from the chamber as shown, after which new shells can be quickly inserted into the shell chambers and the cylinder reapplied to the spindle.

From the foregoing it is apparent that I have provided a rearm for discharging gas shells in a most expeditious manner and that a plurality of shells may be red successively within the loading capacity of the cylinder.

It is also obvious that the device is of simple, compact and balanced construction so that it is convenient to carry and conceal. After ring, the empty shells are quickly removed and new shells inserted so that thedevice can be replaced in operation with a amount of delay. Y Y Y A device constructedas described has a moral effectfar greater than single shot weapons and is far more effective in subduing individuals or dispersing mobs.` .A

It is also apparent that duev to the fact of the full trigger grip, the hazard of having the weapon jerked or twisted from the hand is reduced to a minimum anda far more accurate aim is assured due to the uniform pull of the trigger.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: I

1. In a device of the character described, a frame, a cylinder rotatably mounted on the frame and provided with a plurality of shell chambers arrangedr in series about the axis of the cylinder and having ratchet guide portions corresponding to spacing of the respective chambers, shell ring meansA on the frame, a stop latchfor normally locking the cylinder from rotation, means for releasing said stop latch, a ratchet lever for rotating the cylinder to successively present the shell chambers into registry with the. ring means VV and having a portion movable in said guideportions forY retaining the cylinder with one of the shell chambers in registry with the firing means, and a lost motion connection between the ratchet: lever and said releasing means whereby the ratchet lever is operated by the releasingmeans.

2. In a device of the character described, Ya frame, a cylinder yrotatably mounted -on the frame and provided vwith ya plurality of shell chambers arranged in series about the axis of said cylinder and having ratchet engaging shoulders terminating in guide portions corresponding to Yspacing of the respective shell chambers, firing means zon the frame, a stop latch normally retaining the cylinder Ivfrom rotation, means for releasing the stop latch including means for actuating the firing means, and a ratchet lever having lost motion connection with said release means for engaging said shoulders and movable in said guide portions for retaining the cylinder with one ofv the shell chambers in registry with the firing means during final operation of said releasing means. v

3. In a device of the character described, a frame, a spindle projecting fromA the frame, a cylinder rotatably mounted on the spindle and provided with a plurality of shell chambers arranged in series about said spindle and having ratchet engaging shoulders terminating in guide portions corresponding to spacing of the respective shell chambers, ring vmeans on the frame, a stop latch normally retaining the cylinder from rotation, a bell crank having one arm for releasing the stop latch and its other arm connected with the firing means, a ratchet lever having lost motion connection with the bell crank, a click on said lever for engaging said shoulders and movable in said guide portions forV retaining the cylinder with one Vof the shell chambers in registry with the firing means, a second bell crank having one arm connected with the rst bell crank, and a grip bar having one end connected with the other arm of thelast named bell crank and'its other end Vpivoted to said frame.

4. A device of the character described including a frame, a cylinder having a plurality Vof shell chambers arranged in circular series about the axis of the cylinder, means for rotatably mounting the cylinder on the frame, shell firing means on the frame, means for actuating said shell ring means including cylinder rotating means, means having lost motion connection with said shell firing means for effecting lag between actuation of the shell ring means and rotation of said cylinder, a trigger comprising a bar having one end pivoted to the lower end of said frame, and a bell crank having one arm connected with the shell firing means and an arm pivotally connected with the upper end of said bar. Y

5. A device of the character described including a frame, a cylinder having a plurality of shell chambers arranged in circular series about the axis of the cylinder, means for rotatably mounting the cylinder on the frame, shell rlring means on the frame, a stop lever for normally retaining the cylinder against rotation relatively to the frame, a ratchet lever pivoted on the frame and having a click engaging the cylinder to elect rotation thereof, a bell crank lever pivoted on the frame having a cam portion for engaging said stop lever to release the cylinder, means connecting the bell crank lever with the ratchet lever, a Sear carried by the bell crank lever and engageable with the shell firing means, and a trigger bar having one end pivoted to said frame and its other end connected with the bell crank lever for rocking the bell crank lever to effect actuation of the shell firing means.

6. A device of the character described including a housing comprising mounting and cover sections having hand grip portions, a cylinder having a plurality of shell chambers arranged in circular series about the axis of the cylinder, meansv for rotatably mounting the cylinder on one of the sections, shell ring means enclosed by said sections, means in said sections for rotating the cylinder to successively advance the shell chambers to the firing means, and a trigger bar pivoted to the upper and lowerv ends of said hand grip portions having connection with said cylinder rotating means and in-Y cluding means for actuating said ring means.

'7. A device of the character described includi ing a housing comprising mounting and cover sections having hand grip portions, a cylinder having a series of shell chambers arranged in circular series about Va bearing opening in the axis of the cylinder, a spindle xed to one 0f the sections extending through said bearing opening for rotatably mounting the cylinder, means housed in the spindle for releasably latching the cylinder on the spindle, means in the sections for rotating the cylinder, means for latching the cylinder in selected position relatively to the housing, shell firing means in the sections, and a trigger bar pivotally connected with the upper and lower ends of said hand grip portions for releasing said latching means and actuating said rotating means including means for operating the shell ring means.

NEWTON s. HI'LLYARD. 

